East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Rob Bernier of the Pascack Valley High School (Hillsdale, N.J.) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 1 of the 2025 season. In his first game as head coach for Pascack Valley, the Group 3 school went to Union City's legendary Roosevelt Stadium and defeated the Group 5 powerhouse with a 19-game home winning streak by a score of 42-19. The Panthers were 10-2 and advanced to the Group 3 semifinals just one season ago under Len Cusumano and made the statement that they will be a physical, discipled, and confident opponent this season with Bernier at the helm.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants' continuing effort to support local high school football programs. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives. Each week during the high school football season, the Giants selected one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to their community.
In recognition of Coach Bernier's selection as Coach of the Week, a $2,000 check will be granted to the school's football program from The Giants Foundation and Gatorade. He will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants head coach Brian Daboll and will be honored at a dinner following the season, as well as a 2026 pre-season home game.
Bernier is a veteran high school coach who has spent time as an assistant at Ramsey and Saddle Brook, leading the Saddle Brook Falcons to a 3-6 record in his lone season as head coach in 2024. He rejoins former Saddle Brook head coach, Bill Van Kersen, who is now the athletic director at Pascack Valley in his new role as head coach of the Panthers.
"Being selected The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week by the Giants is a tribute to how great all our young men played on Thursday night at Union City," said Bernier. "Our entire coaching staff had the team prepared and ready to play. Our Defensive Coordinator Adam Preciado had a masterful game plan in place, and we are truly grateful for his passion and dedication towards the PV Football program. We are appreciative for the support we get from the entire PV administration and our Gridiron booster club to help our team to succeed. We are especially appreciative of the support from both Principal John Puccio and our Athletic Director William Van Kersen who go above and beyond for all the student athletes at Pascack Valley High School. We are humbled for this recognition and look at this as a 'Pascack Valley Football Family' award."
